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KARACHI: In their first meeting since parting ways as doubles partners, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi (along with Jean-Julien Rojer) was unable to beat Rohan Bopanna and his partner Mahesh Bhuphathi in the quarterfinal of the Madrid Open on Friday.

Bopanna and Bhupathi romped home with a straight-sets win, albeit in two closely-fought tie-breaks in an hour and 45 minutes on Court number 7.

Ranked 17th in the ATP doubles team rankings, Qureshi and Rojer made a confident start to the match by holding serve until the fifth game, when the all-Indian pair went 3-2 up with a break of serve.

Qureshi-Rojer, however, made quick recovery to break back Bhupathi-Bopanna at 5-4. The service games were then evenly fought, taking the first set into a tie-break. It was then easy sailing for the seventh-ranked Indian pair, who won the set 7-6 (7-2) in the tie-break.

Riding on the wave of their success over the top seeds Bob and Mike Bryan in the second round, Qureshi and Rojer regained their confidence at the beginning of the second set to make it an even fight. The set swayed back and forth between the two teams, as they sought to book a place in the semis. Eventually, the second set, too, was stretched into a tie-break at 6-6. This time, Qureshi and Rojer put up an improved performance in the tie-breaker but were unable to gain advantage over their opponents and lost the set 7-6 (7-5) and the match 2-0.

This was the first time Qureshi faced his former partner and “best mate on the tour” across the court since the pair split up late last year. Speaking to Dawn.com prior to the match, Qureshi said he would try to take the match “professionally” but was unable to replicate the success he and Rojer enjoyed on Thursday.

The Indian pair were backed up by their strong service game, with 10 aces as opposed to Qureshi-Rojer’s two and held on to three out of the four break-points on offer. Qureshi and Rojer, however, saved one break-point and gave one away in the first set.

The loss will hit Qureshi’s Olympic dream, as he now has three tournaments left to bring his ranking up to 10 from the current (14) in order to qualify.

Comments (12) Closed

very tight match, hopefully you will take the revenge at ROLAND GAROS , best of luck for ROME

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insaan

May 11, 2012 04:18pm

Sabash Bopanna! india rules!

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paktvportal

May 11, 2012 04:23pm

Aisam bahi please keep the spirits high, we are with You! & just play for Pakistan!!!

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Ravi

May 11, 2012 08:54pm

Your header reads "In their first meeting since parting ways as doubles partners, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi (along with Jean-Julien Rojer) was unable to beat Rohan Bopanna and his partner Mahesh Bhuphathi in the quarterfinal of the Madrid Open on Friday".
What you mean by "unable" to beat ? Were you expecting Qureshi to beat Bopana because they parted ways ? It is alrite to support your team, but , I always feel Pakistanis do suffer from some sort of self proclaimed superiority complex, whereas the truth is just opposite. You guys unnecessary add hype and than run for controversies when defeated. Thank you for not telling that match was fixed!!!!

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TheseusIam

May 11, 2012 10:30pm

Not bad. Maybe qureshi will win next time.

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Siham

May 11, 2012 10:41pm

No worries Aisam, no worries. You can do it! You will get to the Olympics! Our prayers are with you!

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S Ravindran

May 12, 2012 04:03am

This is the real sportsman ship from the two sides..
Keep it up bopanna & quershi..
With sweet love for both of you from an Indian...
I Love both of you too much
/S Ravindran

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Salman

May 12, 2012 05:51am

In sha ALLAH our prayers and well wishes are always with you dear Aisam bhai.

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Pakistani

May 12, 2012 05:55am

No problem, Buddy
Better luck next time

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Haroon

May 12, 2012 08:40am

Well Played Aisam & Rojer, unlucky to win waiting to watch you live in Wimbeldon

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hina

May 12, 2012 08:05pm

good job both of you qureshi and bhopanna

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Tennis fan

May 13, 2012 01:10am

I think you are reading too much into it. Its just a comment on his inablility to win the match! We Pakistanis do not suffer from any such superiority complex. I think we should follow in the shoes of Bopanna/Qureshi and "stop War and Play tennis"!!
Good luck to both teams!